Kolaches are a large part of the St. Wenceslaus Goulash Day, requiring a whole crew of volunteers for a day of baking, while preparing the annual festival's namesake goulash is a large-scale production in itself. For more than 30 years, Marge and Leonard Jansa have hosted a crew of volunteers at their farm in rural Cedar Rapids for a morning of cleaning, peeling and chopping potatoes, onions and other vegetables that are used in the goulash. The day is as much about fellowship and community as it is about preparing for the festival -- held this year on Sunday, Sept. 24 -- as longtime friends come together to reminisce, discuss current events, family life and more. Marge and Leonard provide snacks and lunch to add to the festive feel.
Cimbálová Muzika Vojara visits Cedar Rapids
Cimbálová Muzika Vojara from Moravia, Czech Republic, performed a free concert at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids on Sunday, July 30. The visit was part of the band's trip to the United States, sponsored by the Czech Slavnosti newspaper.Czech Prince Branden Knight and Czech Princess Victoria Knight, were able to meet the musicians after their performance. (photos/Cindy Hadish)
New Czech Royal Court announced
Families are making their mark on the Czech Heritage Foundation’s new Czech Royal Court. Three brother-sister duos, and one family trio, were among the members announced during Houby Days in Czech Village.A new Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa also was named after the state pageant at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, which included modeling kroje (ethnic Czech costumes,) a talent competition and private and on-stage interviews. Saddah Hadish of Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Steve and Mari Hadish, was crowned queen for 2017-2018.
Members of the Czech Royal Court serve as young ambassadors for the Czech Heritage Foundation in festivals and other events throughout the year, with their award-winning floats well-recognized in area parades.Two years ago, a new title of Little Brother was added to the Czech Royal Court, opening up the program to boys ages 6-12, in addition to Little Sisters of the same age. That underlies the driving force behind this year’s influx of families.Little Brothers and Little Sisters for the coming year are: Lars and Ingrid Landa, son and daughter of Craig and Christine Landa; Davis and Danika Robe, son and daughter of John and Holly Robe; Alexander and Grace Sherman, son and daughter of Peter and Radka Sherman; as well as Myah Morgan, the daughter of J.C. and Tiffany Morgan; Allyanna Pokorny, daughter of Michael and Angel Pokorny; and Natalie Hopkins, daughter of Emily Zimmerman and Seth Hopkins.Czech Princes and Princesses are between the ages of 12 and 18. Branden and Victoria Knight, the son and daughter of Tom and Karen Knight, will serve as Czech Prince and Princess, along with Drake Hromidko Ainesworth, the son of Heidi Hromidko and Mike Ainesworth; and Rachael Brandon, the daughter of Jeremy and Jennifer Wills and Jason and Andrea Brandon. Isabel Sherman, whose brother and sister also joined the Czech Royal Court, will be Mladší Princezna, meaning “younger princess” and Jonathan Carrick, son of Laurie and David Carrick, will serve this year as Mladší Princ, meaning “younger prince.”
The next event for the Czech Royal Court will be the Czech National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Service at 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 29, at the St. Wenceslaus Church gym, 1230 Fifth St. SE.
Houby Days Parade Entry Form
Registration for the annual Cedar Rapids Houby Days parade is open! This year's parade will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 10:00 am. The parade will travel along 16th Avenue in Czech Village.Participants are asked to complete a registration form. Registration forms can be submitted via mail or e-mail. Any required registration fees should be paid using a check made out to "Straight Arrow" and should be submitted via mail.Straight ArrowP.O. Box 13Cedar Rapids, IA 52406straighta@mchsi.com
Czech Royal Court looks ahead after busy season
The Czech Royal Court is finishing an active spring, with one more parade before the crowning ceremony for new members during Houby Days.Crowning of the Czech Prince and Princess and Little Brother and Little Sister will take place at noon Sunday, May 21, at the Kosek Bandstand in Czech Village. The public is encouraged to attend and support all of the candidates, who were interviewed by a panel of judges in March.Members of the Royal Court also will participate in the Houby Days Parade, set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20.Float maker Tim Pfeifer and his family had the float decked out for both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Cedar Rapids, featuring a Czech lion and leprechaun, and the St. Joseph’s Parade on March 18 through New Bohemia and Czech Village.
Other recent events included the Sokol Šibřinky – a Czech-style Mardi Gras celebration – the Czech School Chili Supper and the Czech Heritage Foundation’s St. Joseph’s Day Dance.Additionally, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Linda Babinat, Czech Prince Drake Hromidko Ainesworth and Czech Princess Rachael Brandon were interviewed on Z102.9’s Schulte and Swan Morning Show to discuss the March events. Thank you to Sykora Bakery for donating kolaches that were given to the radio crew.
Thanks also go to Donna Gruntorad, Bonnie Rohlena, Jim Gruntorad and Janna Waters for serving as judges for the incoming Royal Court.In addition to Linda, Drake and Rachael, members of the current Royal Court are Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Runner-up Lindsay Hottovy; Czech Prince Branden Knight; Czech Princess Victoria Knight; Little Brothers Lars Landa and Davis Robe; Little Sisters Ingrid Landa, Myah Morgan and FayLyn Franks and honorary court attendants, Frank and Jonathan Kime.